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Future stars dot AFL's Top Prospects Team

Future stars dot AFL's Top Prospects Team

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Prospects shine bright in AFL 2:03

Jim Callis takes a look at a few MLB prospects who looked good in the Arizona Fall League, including AFL MVP Kris Bryant

By Teddy Cahill
/
MLB.com |

The Arizona Fall League announced its 2013 Top Prospects Team, featuring Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, the league's Most Valuable Player, and Twins outfielder Byron Buxton, the top-ranked player on MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list.

At least one player from 20 organizations made the 22-man Prospects Team, which is selected by AFL managers and coaches based on the players' performances in the fall and how they project as future Major Leaguers.

2013 TOP PROSPECTS TEAM

POS

PLAYER

TEAM

OF

Stephen Piscotty

Cardinals

OF

Tyler Naquin

Indians

OF

Mitch Haniger

Brewers

OF

Jared Mitchell

White Sox

OF

Byron Buxton

Twins

OF

Brian Goodwin

Nationals

3B

Kris Bryant

Cubs

3B

Jake Lamb

D-backs

SS

Addison Russell

A's

SS

Christhian Adames

Rockies

2B

Tommy La Stella

Braves

2B

Cory Spangenberg

Padres

1B

C.J. Cron

Angels

1B

Travis Shaw

Red Sox

C

Jorge Alfaro

Rangers

C

Austin Hedges

Padres

DH

Henry Urrutia

Orioles

DH

Japhet Amador

Astros

SP

Aaron Sanchez

Blue Jays

SP

Alex Meyer

Twins

RP

Nick Wittgren

Marlins

RP

Derek Law

Giants

Bryant helped Mesa reach the AFL Championship Game and led the league in home runs (six), slugging percentage (.727) and on-base plus slugging percentage (1.184) in his MVP campaign.

At 19 years old, Buxton was the fourth-youngest player in the AFL. He started the Fall Stars Game and hit .212 with a .404 slugging percentage.

Buxton was joined on the Prospects Team by fellow Twins farmhand Alex Meyer, a right-hander who went 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in seven starts. The Padres were the only other team to place two players on the team, as catcher Austin Hedges and second baseman Cory Spangenberg were honored.

Meyer and Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez, who started against each other in the Fall Stars Game, were named the Prospect Team's starting pitchers. Marlins right-hander Nick Wittgren and Giants right-hander Derek Law were honored as relievers.

Teddy Cahill is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @tedcahill. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.